Document feeder with stamp in document scanning apparatus

ABSTRACT

A document scanning apparatus which includes a automatic document feeder and a stamp holder, with a stamping face marking on documents and a stamping solenoid moving the stamping face. The stamp holder is located on the outside of the automatic document feeder cover, and the stamp holder is operatable to open and close. The stamping face faces in the direction of an exit roller of the automatic document feeder. Further, the stamping face is angled so that it can return to a retracted position by its own weight.

This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 08/289,491 filed on Aug.12, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,022.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of The Invention

This invention relates to an automatic document feeder in a documentscanning apparatus capable of performing stamping on documents afterscanning data of the documents.

2. Description of the Related Art

Some scanning apparatuses having automatic document feeders, for examplein a facsimile machine, have a stamp. If the page was transmittedwithout error or stored successfully, the stamp marks the page forinforming the operator.

Generally, stamps are positioned on the inside of the scanningapparatus. This is shown in Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model PublicationNo. 36256/1990; Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Publication No.68556/1990; Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Publication No.116667/1989; Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Publication No. 6364/1991;and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 17557/1989.

However, in such a document scanning apparatus with a stamp, in the caseof exchanging the stamp or supplying ink to the stamp, the operatorneeds to open the whole document scanning apparatus or a complexmechanism is needed for the document scanning apparatus and/or thestamping means to hold the stamp or supply ink thereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a documentscanning apparatus capable of permitting easy exchanging of stamps orsupplying ink to the stamps.

According to a feature of the invention, an automatic document feeder ina document scanning apparatus includes a stamp holder located on theoutside of the automatic document feeder, a stamping face for marking ondocuments, and a stamping solenoid for moving the stamping face.

According to another feature of the invention, the stamp holder isoperatable to open and close.

According to yet another feature of the invention, the automaticdocument feeder has at least one exit roller, and the stamping face ispositioned in the stamp holder so as to face one of the exit rollers.

According to a further feature of the invention, the stamping face isangled so as to return to a retracted position by its own weight.

According to yet a further feature of the invention, the scanningapparatus is a facsimile.

According to still a further feature of the invention, the scanningapparatus is a copier.

According to still a further feature of the invention, the scanningapparatus is a digital copier.

According to still a further feature of the invention, the scanningapparatus is an electrical filing system.

According to still a further feature of the invention, the scanningapparatus is an optical filing system.

According to still a further feature of the invention, the automaticdocument feeder has at least one exit roller, a stamping face formarking on documents and facing one of the exit rollers, and a stampingsolenoid operating for moving the stamping face.

According to still a further feature of the invention, the stamping faceis angled so as to return to a retracted position by its own weight.

According to still a further feature of the invention, the scanningapparatus is a facsimile.

According to still a further feature of the invention, the scanningapparatus is a copier.

According to still a further feature of the invention, the scanningapparatus is a digital copier.

According to still a further feature of the invention, the scanningapparatus is an electrical filing system.

According to still a further feature of the invention, the automaticdocument feeder has a stamping face for marking on documents and isangled so as to return to a retracted position by its own weight, and astamping solenoid operates for moving the stamping face.

According to still a further feature of the invention, the scanningapparatus is a facsimile.

According to still a further feature of the invention, the scanningapparatus is a copier.

According to still a further feature of the invention, the scanningapparatus is a digital copier.

According to still a further feature of the invention, the scanningapparatus is an electrical filing system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and features of this invention will become understood fromthe following description with reference to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an auto document feeder according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing a feed-out section of theauto document feeder of FIG. 1 and a stamping mechanism thereon;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view in perspective of the stamping mechanismaccording to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded view in perspective of a stamp holder according tothe embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Now, an embodiment of the invention will be described in detail withreference to the drawings.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, a main apparatus 1, for example a facsimile, a copier,a digital copier, an electrical filing apparatus, an optical filingapparatus, or another apparatus or system including a scanner, has anautomatic document feeder according to an embodiment of the presentinvention mounted thereon. The main apparatus can be, for example, theimage forming apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,278,622; the imagereader disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,363 or the electronic filingsystem disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,296,966, all of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference. Each of these main apparatusesincludes a document scanning apparatus which will not here be describedin detail.

The automatic document feeder includes a stamp 2 for stamping a mark ondocuments, a document receiving tray 4 for receiving dischargeddocuments, a document table 5 for setting documents thereon, one or moreexit rollers 6 in a document feed-out section and for dischargingdocuments after scanning data of the documents, an exposure glass 7mounted on the main apparatus 1 so that data of documents thereon may bescanned, and a transport belt 8 for conveying documents from a pick-upsection to a scanning position on the exposure glass 7 and from thescanning position to the feed-out section.

Document sheets 3 to be scanned are set on the document table 5 with thedata side down. The bottom document sheet 3 is separated from the rest.The transport belt 8 drives the separated document sheet 3 to apre-decided position (this position is decided based on the size of thedocuments and the orientation of the documents) on the exposure glass 7.After scanning the data on the document sheet 3, the transport belt 8drives the document sheet 3 to the document feed-out section includingthe exit rollers 6.

As seen in FIG. 2, the document sheet 3 is sent to a position betweenthe exit rollers 6 and assist rollers 6a by a feed guide plate 6b.

The exit rollers 6 are driven by a document feed (DF) motor (not shown)having a CPU. When the CPU of the DF receives the feed next page signalfrom the CPU of the scanner and plotter control unit, the DF motorstarts turning. Simultaneously, the transport belt 8 carries thedocument sheet 3 to the exit rollers 6, and the exit rollers 6 feed outthe document sheet 3.

The stamp 2 is also controlled by the CPU of the DF. As seen in FIG. 2,a stamp cover 2a and a stamp holder 2b enclose the stamping mechanismwhich is mounted to the exterior of the cover 9 of the automaticdocument feeder. The stamp includes a stamp face 2c for marking on thedocuments, a stamp solenoid 2d for controlling the movement of the stampface 2c and a supporting plate 2e on which the stamp solenoid 2d issupported. The stamp face 2c has an elastic, ink bearing stamping partand a piston-like metal armature which fits into the solenoid 2d so thatthe stamp face 2c is advanced out of the solenoid 2d when the solenoidis energized.

When the CPU of the DF receives a stamp start signal, the DF motorstarts rotating to carry the document sheet 3 to the stamp position.When the document sheet 3 reaches the stamp position detected by anunillustrated sensor (this timing depends on the length of the documentand the stamp position on the document), the DF motor stops. After this,the DF CPU energizes the stamp solenoid 2d if the page of the documentsheet 3 was scanned successfully, for example if, in a facsimile, thepage was sent (immediate transmission) or stored successfully (memorytransmission). When the stamp solenoid 2d is energized, the stamp face2c is extended out of the stamp solenoid from a retracted position andtoward one of the exit rollers 6. The document sheet 3 is thenpositioned between the stamp face 2c and the one of the exit rollers 6,and so the stamp face 2c reaches a stamping position where it contactsthe document sheet 3 to press the document sheet against the exit roller6 and place a mark thereon.

After stamping on the document sheet 3, the stamp solenoid 2d isdeenergized. Due to the angle of the stamp face 2c, it rises as itadvances out of the stamp solenoid and returns to the retracted positiondue to its own weight. The DF motor then starts again for feeding outthe document sheet 3.

The stamping position on the document can be changed from the trailingedge area of the sheet to the leading edge area by adjusting the RAM inthe scanner CPU.

FIG. 3 illustrates the main part of the automatic document feeder 1 towhich the stamping mechanism is mounted, a stamp cover 2a of thestamping mechanism, and a stamp holder 2b of the stamping mechanism.

As seen in FIG. 3, a stamp face hole 9a in the automatic document feedercover 9 is for the stamp face 2c to extend therethrough. A lead wirehole 9b in the automatic document feeder cover 9 is for passage of alead wire 2f controlling the stamp solenoid 2d. The lead wire 2fconnects to a control panel for the automatic document feeder. A hole2a-1 in stamp cover 2a is aligned with the stamp face hole 9a, and thestamp face 2c can extend therethrough. A hole 2a-2 in stamp holder 2b isin alignment with the lead wire hole 9b. An attaching device, forexample a clasp 2g, is for attaching the stamp holder 2b to the stampingcover 2a.

As seen in FIG. 4, a convexity 2a-3 is located on the stamp cover 2a anda hole 2b-1 is located on the stamp holder 2b for engaging the convexity2a-3. The stamp holder 2b pivots on the stamp cover 2a with the hole2b-1 cooperating with the convexity 2a-3, and the stamp holder clasp 2gsecures to the stamp cover 2a. The stamp cover 2a mounts on the frame ofthe automatic document feeder 9 via a screw.

Thus, the stamp cover 2a and stamp holder 2b mount on the outside of theautomatic document feeder, and the stamp holder 2b is pivotable to openand close, so it is easy for operators to exchange or fix the stampingunits.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the exit rollers are cylindrically shaped, andthe stamp face 2c is positionable against the face of one of the exitrollers through the hole 2a-1 and the hole 9a to stamp a document sheet3 therebetween. Thus the stamping mechanism according to an embodimentof the present invention needs no separate backing member for the stampbecause the one of the exit rollers 6 acts as a backing member.

And as seen in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the stamp solenoid 2d is fixed on thesupporting plate 2e by a screw and the supporting plate 2e is fixed onthe stamp holder 2b by a screw. Since the stamp solenoid 2d is fixed onthe plate 2e at such an angle with respect to the horizontal that thestamp face rises as it extends out of the stamp solenoid, the stampingface 2c returns to a retracted position by its own weight after markingon the document and the solenoid 2d is de-energized. The optimum angleis between 22° and 26°. Thus, the stamping face 2c returns to theretracted position automatically and without a return force from thestamp solenoid 2d, and so only a simple mechanism is needed.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is thereforeto be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, theinvention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically describedherein.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:
 1. An automatic document feeder in a documentscanning apparatus, comprising:an automatic document feeder coverenclosing means for feeding documents for the document scanningapparatus, said feeding means including at least one exit roller; astamping face for marking on documents and facing one of said exitrollers; and a stamping solenoid for moving said stamping face from aretracted position to a stamping position to mark documents, wherein thedocuments being marked are pressed between said stamp face and said oneof said exit rollers as a backing member.
 2. The document feeder asclaimed in claim 1, wherein a direction of movement of said stampingface from said retracted position to said stamping position is angledsuch that said stamping face rises when moving from said retractedposition to said stamping position, and such that said stamping facereturns from said stamping position to said retracted position due toits own weight.
 3. The document feeder as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid scanning apparatus is in a facsimile.
 4. The document feeder asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said scanning apparatus is in a copier. 5.The document feeder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said scanningapparatus is in a digital copier.
 6. The document feeder as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said scanning apparatus is in an electrical filingsystem.
 7. A document scanning apparatus having an automatic documentfeeder, comprising:an automatic document feeder cover enclosing meansfor feeding documents for the document scanning apparatus, said feedingmeans including at least one exit roller; a stamping face for marking ondocuments and facing one of said exit rollers; and a stamping solenoidfor moving said stamping face from a retracted position to a stampingposition to mark documents, wherein the documents being marked arepressed between said stamp face and said one of said exit rollers as abacking.
 8. The document scanning apparatus as claimed in claim 7,wherein a direction of movement of said stamping face from saidretracted position to said stamping position is angled such that saidstamping face rises when moving from said retracted position to saidstamping position, and such that said stamping face returns from saidstamping position to said retracted position due to its own weight. 9.The document scanning apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein saidscanning apparatus is in a facsimile.
 10. The document scanningapparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said scanning apparatus is in acopier.
 11. The document scanning apparatus as claimed in claim 7,wherein said scanning apparatus is in a digital copier.
 12. The documentscanning apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said scanningapparatus is in an electrical filing system.
 13. An automatic documentfeeder in a document scanning apparatus and comprising:a automaticdocument feeding means; a stamping face positioned for marking ondocuments being fed by said feeding means; and a stamping solenoid formoving said stamping face from a retracted position to a stampingposition to mark documents, wherein a direction of movement of saidstamping face from said retracted position to said stamping position isangled such that said stamping face rises when moving from saidretracted position to said stamping position, and such that saidstamping face returns from said stamping position to said retractedposition due to its own weight.
 14. The document feeder as claimed inclaim 13, wherein said scanning apparatus is in a facsimile.
 15. Thedocument feeder as claimed in claim 13, wherein said scanning apparatusis in a copier.
 16. The document feeder as claimed in claim 13, whereinsaid scanning apparatus is in a digital copier.
 17. The document feederas claimed in claim 13, wherein said scanning apparatus is in anelectrical filing system.
 18. A document scanning apparatus,comprising:a automatic document feeder; a stamping face positioned formarking on documents being fed by said automatic document feeder; and astamping solenoid for moving said stamping face from a retractedposition to a stamping position to mark documents, wherein a directionof movement of said stamping face from said retracted position to saidstamping position is angled such that said stamping face rises whenmoving from said retracted position to said stamping position, and suchthat said stamping face returns from said stamping position to saidretracted position due to its own weight.
 19. The document scanningapparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein said scanning apparatus is ina facsimile.
 20. The document scanning apparatus as claimed in claim 18,wherein said scanning apparatus is in a copier.
 21. The documentscanning apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein said scanningapparatus is in a digital copier.
 22. The document scanning apparatus asclaimed in claim 18, wherein said scanning apparatus is in an electricalfiling system.